Cook Islands & Niue

The South Pacific island nations of the Cook Islands and Niue, freely associated with New Zealand (along with the territory of Tokelau), offer Rarotonga, the Aitutaki lagoon and Niue's coral caves.

This region is the part of the Realm of New Zealand lying in the Pacific beyond the North and South Islands: the Cook Islands and Niue, both in free association with New Zealand, and the New Zealand territory of Tokelau. All three use the New Zealand dollar, their residents hold New Zealand citizenship, and they have the closest transport links with New Zealand.

Highlights: Rarotonga, the Cook Islands' main island and seat of government, has a 32 km road around the island, paddling and snorkeling in Muri Lagoon, the cross-island hike, the Saturday Punanga Nui Market and Island Night dance performances; Aitutaki is regarded as one of the world's most beautiful lagoons, with One Foot Island (Tapuaetai) and lagoon cruises; Niue is one of the world's largest coral islands, with no sandy beaches but caves and tide pools such as the Talava Arches and Matapa Chasm, and the chance to swim with humpback whales in July–October; Tokelau's three atolls receive very few visitors.

Classic itinerary: 4–5 days on Rarotonga plus 2–3 days on Aitutaki; Niue is best planned separately, for 5–7 days.

Getting there: Auckland has direct flights to Rarotonga and Niue (only 1–2 flights a week to Niue); the domestic flight from Rarotonga to Aitutaki takes about 50 minutes; Tokelau can only be reached by boat from Samoa.

Notes: flights to Niue are infrequent, so plan your itinerary around the flight schedule; protect the coral reefs by using reef-safe sunscreen.

Destinations

Itineraries